Third gender coming to birth certificates in New York City. Where else is it allowed?

New York City is the newest location to offer an X gender on birth certificates after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a new law. Oregon, Washington and California are other US states that allow it. Photo of a protest in Romania.
Andreea Alexandru
AP

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill into law on Tuesday that adds a third gender option on birth certificates in the city.

“Birth certificates are necessary to access many city services — and the gender listed on a drivers’ license or other forms official ID are generally based on what is listed on the birth certificate,” according to The New York Daily News, “meaning today’s change will make it easier for people to obtain multiple forms of ID that reflect their gender identity.”

It was a welcome change for Nic Sakurai, who was among the first people in the U.S. to receive an “X” on government ID for their gender at the DMV in Washington, D.C., according to CNN. Sakurai said they use gender neutral pronouns and identify as “agender.”

“I don’t feel that sense of gender as something that is part of my core innate experience,” Sakurai said, according to CNN. “I’m glad to finally have an ID that actually matches who I am.”

The policy was implemented a week after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced it in June 2017, CNN reported.

Those under 18 will need a sign-off from a legal guardian and a doctor before changing their gender on their birth certificate, KOMO reported. Adults do not need a medical professional to alter their gender identity on the document.

Under the law, new birth certificates must be given to those who request them, the newspaper reported, and people are allowed to choose from one of three gender options while at the state’s DMV.

Non-binary is defined under the California law as an “umbrella term for people with gender identities that fall somewhere outside of the traditional conceptions of strictly either female or male,” according to The Sacramento Bee.

“Those who already have a valid license will be issued a gender designation sticker in the mail, with instructions on where to affix it,” the BMV wrote in a statement. “The BMV is not assessing a fee to provide the sticker for an existing license or ID.”

Jo Michael of Equality California, who identifies as transgender and nonbinary, said identification that reflects their gender identity will allow transgender people to more fully participate in society.